Unlike a push lawn mower that will consume your time and strain your muscles, a riding lawn mower saves you from physical exhaustion and time constraints, but that’s only if you know what to look for. If you don’t understand the characteristics, you will be left with a below average product that you may as well return.
To give you such convenience in lawn mowing, our experts have compiled the best small riding lawn mowers that you should consider purchasing.
Reviews of the Top Small Riding Lawn Mowers
1. Troy-Bilt 452CC Mustang Fit Riding Mower
Troy-Bilt 452CC is another efficient riding mower that would make an excellent option for your small-sized lawns. Unlike other zero-turn radius mowers under 5000, this machine is not bulky.
It has a 34″ cutting deck, capable of mowing the tall grasses on your lawns to a carpeted level. The mower is also slightly easy to maneuver, as its compact design allows you to navigate the mower through narrow roads.
The mower comes with dual suspension springs to absorb impacts and bumps, enhancing the mower’s maneuverability and saving time.
Our experts were impressed with how comfortable the seat was, as it allows the driver to control the mower better for more efficiency.
What We Like
- Comfortable seating
- 2-year warranty
- Quick maneuver
- Super cutting ability
What We Don't Like
- The mower has a heavy lever
- It doesn't perform zero turns
2. Snapper 2911525 BVE Classic RER 28-Inch 11.5HP 344CC Rear Engine Riding Mower
The cutting power of this lawnmower is incredible, despite its small size. It is straightforward to use, thanks to its simplistic design and function.
The minimalistic design allows the machine to maneuver obstacles conveniently. The 28 inches turning radius allows you to move in between tight spaces that other types of mowers can’t.
Snapper 2911525 BVE has an efficient 28 inches cutting deck and has a 5-speed drive system that ensures your lawn is trimmed to the barest level. Plus, it comes with an 11.5HP, 344cc engine that’s capable of giving your yard an ideal cut in one quick pass [1].
What We Like
- It's effortless to start
- Cuts grasses fast and clean
- It comes with a tall comfortable driving seat
- Easy to maneuver
- Easy to store
What We Don't Like
- Not suitable for large lawns
- They are not designed for pulling heavy loads
3. Husqvarna Z242F Hydrostatic Riding Mower
If you’re looking for a robust and durable mower that would suit your lawns without compromising comfort, you should consider Husqvarna Z242F.
This machine is sturdily built with steel frames and a caster to withstand tall grasses and stubborn lawns, which our team considers impressive.
Z242F comes with a powerful engine that delivers a top cutting speed of 6.5 mph, making it an ideal powerhouse for trimming mid-sized to large lawns. Plus, it has a 42” cutting deck for making quick cuts in one pass.
Thanks to this machine’s comfortable and adjustable seat design, you can mow for extended periods without feeling fatigued.
What We Like
- Extremely easy to use
- Strong and durable
- Comfortable and adjustable seat design
- Powerful engine
- Ideal for mid-sized to large lawns
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Heavy
Small Riding Lawn Mowers Buyer’s Guide
When shopping for the best small riding lawn mower, here are some of the things you should look out for to make the best choice.
Build and Size
Although most riding mowers have the same build, they vary in size due to the cutting deck size. Lawn mowers come with a cutting deck size of 20″, 30″, 40″, and 50″.
They also vary in weight, as some come heavier than others. However, this depends on the cutting deck size, type, and engine size.
Type of Riding Mower
There are three types of riding mowers. Each class is best suited to a particular lawn size, so understanding your lawn size is paramount in choosing the best type.
There is the zero turning radius mower. This lawnmower type is known for its superb maneuverability. It makes a complete 360-degree turn without stopping. Plus, it’s fast, making it ideal for getting jobs done quickly.
The other type is the lawn tractors. This type of mower is large and designed for cutting grasses on extensive lawns. They are top-performing electric riding mowers for your lawn. However, there are smaller units designed for small-sized yards.
The third type is the rear engine riding mowers. This mower is compact and has its engine located at the back, as the name suggests. In terms of navigating obstacles, moving through tight spaces, ease of use, and storage, this type of mower is the best.
Cutting Deck Size
Even when you are buying a used riding lawn mower, this should still be your topmost priority when selecting small riding lawn mowers. The mower’s cutting deck size determines the size of grass that gets cut in one pass.
The larger the cutting deck size, the more grass width it cuts, and the fewer passes the mower has to make. So if you have a large lawn, consider getting a mower with a cutting deck size between 30″ to 40″.
For large cutting deck size, the Husqvarna MZ61 with 50-inch cutting deck is what our team recommends.
Storage
As you already know, small riding mowers come in various sizes. The larger the size, the more space you need to store them when they are not used. Of course, there’s always an option to sell your old riding lawn mowers for $500 or higher to make space for when you have a new one, but for those who want to keep their old mowers, a more compact one is the best option.
Price and Warranty
Riding lawn mowers either with Kawasaki or Kohler engines vary in prices according to their functions, size, and features. For example, the zero turning radius mower is the most expensive type because of its incredible maneuverability and speed while the GARDENA SILENO Minimo, a riding lawn mower that is valued at under $800 and is considered one of the cheapest types, has limited mowing durations due to battery levels. You will barely encounter a riding mower not starting or no-clicking at a higher price range.
High-quality lawn riding mowers also come with different warranties. Some have a 2-year limited warranty, while others have a 3-year limited warranty.
FAQ
What Is The Smallest Size Riding Lawn Mower?
The smallest size riding lawn mower is Snapper 2911525 BVE Classic RER 28-Inch 11.5HP 344CC. It has a compact body and comes with a 28-inch cutting deck size.
Our Top Pick for a Small Riding Lawn Mower: Husqvarna Z242F
Based on this review, our experts conclude that the Husqvarna Z242F Hydrostatic Riding Mower as our top pick.
This small riding lawn mower has a powerful engine and a massive cutting deck that ensures the grasses on your lawn are cut to the minimum and fast. It is sturdily built to withstand the rigorous cutting tasks, helping to maximize its lifespan.
Overall, this mower from Husqvarna performs incredibly, making it the best small riding lawn mower.
If you want to be more economical, we have a list of the best cheapest riding lawn mower here. Read next!
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